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Plants move mineral ions: - from a low concentration in the soil - to a high concentration in the root cells - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 1
Plants move mineral ions: - from a low concentration in the soil - to a high concentration in the root cells. What process do plants use to move these minerals ions... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Plants move mineral ions: - from a low concentration in the soil - to a high concentration in the root cells - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Plants move mineral ions: What process do plants use to move these minerals ions into root cells?
Answer
The process by which plants move mineral ions from a low concentration in the soil to a high concentration in the root cells is called active transport. This process requires energy as it involves the movement of ions against the concentration gradient.
Step 2
Describe how the student might have collected the data in Table 1.
Answer
The student could have collected the data by following these steps:
- Mount the epidermis on a slide: A small section of the leaf's epidermis is carefully removed and placed on a microscope slide.
- Count stomata in one area: Using a light microscope, the student counts the number of stomata visible in a defined area of the slide.
- Repeat in four more areas: The student then performs the same counting procedure in four additional areas of the same leaf to get reliable data.
- Repeat on the other surface: The counting method is also applied to the lower surface of the leaf.
- Calculate mean: Finally, the student calculates the mean from the counts obtained in both leaf surfaces.
Step 3
Step 4
Explain why this is an advantage to the plant.
Answer
Having fewer stomata on the upper surface of the leaf is advantageous for the plant because it reduces water loss through transpiration. This mechanism helps the plant thrive in dry conditions by conserving water, preventing wilting and allowing it to maintain turgor pressure necessary for photosynthesis and overall growth.